South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoos had around 38% of their range impacted by the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires. This project supports the post-bushfire recovery of the species in East Gippsland by protecting their short-term food supplies and increasing their long-term food security.
The 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires burnt large tracts of the trees that South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoos need to survive, such as the she-oaks they feed in. By restoring their habitat, we can help these birds survive for generations to come.
South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoos occur from eastern Victoria to south-eastern Queensland; 38% of this range was burnt by the 2019–20 bushfires.
Glossies feed almost exclusively on fire-sensitive she-oaks (Allocasuarina, Casuarina) which take up to 10 years to produce seedpods. With so many of these trees being burnt, the bushfires caused a major food shortage.
The fires also damaged old, hollow-bearing trees — potential breeding sites for Glossies. Without appropriate breeding sites, their population will continue to decline.
BirdLife Australia is collecting vital data on the birds and their habitats so they can be better protected.
This project supports the bushfire recovery of South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoos in East Gippsland by protecting their short-term food supply and increasing their long-term food security.
We are working with communities in East Gippsland community, as well as government agencies and non-government organisations, to protect unburnt stands of she-oaks and plant new trees to replace some of those that were lost in the fires.
We are also identifying sites with a deficit of natural hollows, where we can install specially-made ‘cockatubes’ that the birds can use for breeding.
Importantly, BirdLife Australia is also collecting vital information about the birds and their habitat requirements so they can be better protected in the future.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program, and by donations to BirdLife Australia’s bushfire appeal. Landcare Serpentine/Jarrahdale donated 38 cockatubes to the project, and these were transported from Western Australia to East Gippsland by the Australian Defence Force.
Habitat clearance and degradation are major threats to black-cockatoos in south-western Australia, with development rapidly reducing their remaining habitat around Perth. You can help black-cockatoos by planting native plants in your garden, or when replanting your local reserve.
BirdLife Australia has been working on black-cockatoo recovery actions since 2001. In Western Australia, we are working with local communities, landholders and land managers to secure the protection and conservation of the three species of black-cockatoos across the South West.
